Exercise Machine With Adjustable Pedals

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an exercise machine with adjustable pedals that includes a mechanical body and two pedal arms connected to the mechanical body, each pedal arm has one pedal frame and one pedal that is installed on top of the pedal frame. Each pedal frame is equipped with at least one guide member, and each pedal has one slide member that fits into the guide member. One actuating member is installed in-between the pedal frame and the pedal, the actuating member has two force transfer ends that are installed on the pedal frame and the pedal each, one of the force transfer ends is an adjusting threaded rod that allows no moving but turning, and the other is a threaded nut with a nut hole for the adjusting threaded rod to be fitted into. Users can adjust pedal locations according to their height and body width, and then the objectives of easy using and increasing exercise comfort would be attained.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise machines, and more particularly to an exercise machine with adjustable pedals that has pedals adjustable to each other, users can adjust pedal locations according to their height and body width, and then the objectives of easy using and increasing exercise comfort would be attained.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional exercise machine, e.g. walking exercise machine or elliptical exercise machine, is equipped with two pedals that can move back and forth, on which users can stand and do exercise. Conventional pedal mechanism includes a pedal frame 40 and a pedal 41 installed on top of the pedal frame 40, the conventional pedals 41 are adjustable in slant angles relative to the pedal frames 40 to cooperate with the changing of exercising attitude in users' feet, yet unable to be adjusted in relative pedal locations per users' body height and width, such as, the distance of the two pedals 41. In other words, conventional pedals 41 are pivotally installed on pedal frames 40, such that the pedals 41 are capable of being turned relatively to the pedal frames 40, yet unable to be moved against, such as TW Pat. No. M290759 as shown in FIG. 7 and TW Pat. No. M576236 as shown in FIG. 8.

As per the shortcomings that the above mentioned conventional exercise machines have, it is learned that the pedals of exercise machines require the function of being adjusted in locations per users' body height and width, the owner of this invention devoted himself to design and development, and with efforts on design and try-out, the design and development result in this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a pedal mechanism for an exercise machine with function of adjusting pedal locations that users can adjust relative locations of the two pedals per their body heights and widths to satisfy themselves with comfort in exercising.

Concrete structure for attaining the above mentioned objective includes a mechanical body and two pedal arms connected to the mechanical body, each pedal arm has one pedal frame and one pedal that is installed on top of the pedal frame. Each pedal frame is equipped with at least one guide member, and each pedal has one slide member that fits into the guide member. One actuating member is installed in-between the pedal frame and the pedal, the actuating member has two force transfer ends that are installed on the pedal frame and the pedal each, one of the force transfer ends is an adjusting threaded rod that allows no moving but turning, and the other is a threaded nut with a nut hole for the adjusting threaded rod to be fitted into. When the adjusting threaded rod is turned, the threaded nut will give reacting force to move the pedal against the pedal frame.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings that show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention applied on an elliptical exercise machine;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the present invention applied on an elliptical exercise machine with a small distance between two pedals;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pedals of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention applied on an elliptical exercise machine with a large distance between two pedals;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the pedals portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of first prior art; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of second prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is applicable to exercise machines with pedals, the exercise machines that have been applied have adjustable pedals in locations such that the requirement on exercising from people of different body height will be satisfied, users can adjust the pedal locations according to their personal favor in exercise. The structure of the basic embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 that takes an elliptical exercise machine as an example, comprises a mechanical body 10, two pedal arms 20 a and 20 b. Each of the pedal arms 20 a, 20 b is connected directly or indirectly to the mechanical body 10, every pedal arm 20 a, 20 b can move back and forth relatively to the mechanical body 10.

Of which, each one of the pedal arms 20 a, 20 b has one of pedal frames 21 a, 21 b installed onto, each one of the pedal frames 21 a, 21 b has one of pedals 22 a, 22 b disposed on tops, each one of the pedal frames 21 a, 21 b is equipped with at least one of guide members 23 a, 23 b, each one of the pedals 22 a, 22 b has at least one of slide members 24 a, 24 b, each one of the slide members 24 a, 24 b fits with the corresponding guide members 23 a, 23 b. One of actuating members 30 a, 30 b are disposed in-between every pedal frames 21 a, 21 b and their corresponding pedals 22 a, 22 b, each one of the actuating members 30 a, 30 b has two force transfer ends that are installed on each of the pedal frames 21 a, 21 b and each of the pedals 22 a, 22 b. One of the force transfer ends is one of adjusting threaded rods 31 a, 31 b that allows no moving but turning, and the other is one of threaded nuts 32 a, 32 b with nut holes 33 a, 33 b. Each one of the adjusting threaded rods 31 a, 31 b is screwed with the corresponding nut holes 33 a, 33 b of the threaded nuts 32 a, 32 b.

Of the above mentioned basic structure, the adjusting threaded rods 31 a, 31 b and the threaded nuts 32 a, 32 b of the actuating members 30 a, 30 b can be disposed on the pedal frames 21 a, 21 b or on the pedals 22 a, 22 b respectively. When the adjusting threaded rods 31 a, 31 b are axially installed on the pedal frames 21 a, 21 b, the threaded nuts 32 a, 32 b are installed on the pedals 22 a, 22 b. On the contrary, when the adjusting threaded rods 31 a, 31 b are axially installed on the pedals 22 a, 22 b, the threaded nuts 32 a, 32 b are installed on the pedal frames 21 a, 21 b. No matter which one of the two is implemented, the result of having the pedals 22 a and 22 b adjustably moving against the pedal frames 21 a and 21 b will be achieved.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the present invention is applied to an elliptical exercise machine, which is designed as having the pedals 22 a and 22 b of an elliptical exercise machine equipped with function of left-and-right adjustment, so users of different body heights can adjust per their requirement the distance of the two pedals 22 a and 22 b to their left side and right side. In the embodiment of the above-mentioned application, the mechanical body 10 has a longitudinal axis 11 and a lateral axis 12 perpendicular with each other. The longitudinal axis 11 is on user's front and rear directions in normal using, the axes of the guide members 23 a, 23 b and the adjusting threaded rods 31 a, 31 b are parallel with the lateral axis 12 of the mechanical body 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 6, the slide members 24 a, 24 b are disposed on the pedals 22 a, 22 b and the adjusting threaded rods 31 a, 31 b are pivoted to the pedals 22 a, 22 b. The guide members 23 a, 23 b and the threaded nuts 32 a, 32 b are attached to the pedal frames 21 a, 21 b. The slide members 24 a, 24 b on the pedals 22 a, 22 b are mounted on the guide members 23 a, 23 b on the pedal frames 21 a, 21 b, and the adjusting threaded rods 31 a, 31 b on the slide members 24 a, 24 b are screwed onto the nut holes 33 a, 33 b of the threaded nuts 32 a, 32 b on the pedal frames 21 a, 21 b. When the adjusting threaded rods 31 a, 31 b are turned, the adjusting threaded rods 31 a, 31 b are moved relatively to the threaded nuts 32 a, 32 b, meanwhile the adjusting threaded rods 31 a, 31 b are carried the pedals 22 a, 22 b moving relatively to the pedal frames 21 a, 21 b. In the FIG. 1, each of the pedal frames 21 a and 21 b is equipped with two guide members 23 a, 23 b, and one of the threaded nuts 32 a, 32 b in-between the two guide members 23 a, 23 b. Each of the pedals 22 a and 22 b is equipped with two slide members 24 a, 24 b, and one of the adjusting threaded rods 31 a, 31 b in-between the two slide members 24 a, 24 b.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of the present invention, the pedal frame 21 a, 21 b has two steel plates 210 a, 210 b set side by side, the guide members 23 a, 23 b are installed in-between connecting the two steel plates 210 a, 210 b. Each one of the steel plates 210 a, 210 b has one place of cuts 211 a, 211 b on the top edge that is for passing one of the adjusting threaded rods 31 a, 31 b through.

Referring to FIG. 1 for a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the threaded nuts 32 a, 32 b have pivoting axles 34 a, 34 b connected to its sides, the pivoting axles 34 a, 34 b fix the threaded nuts 32 a, 32 b on the pedal frames 21 a, 21 b or on the pedals 22 a, 22 b. The embodiment shown in the figure uses the pivoting axles 34 a, 34 b to fix pivotally the threaded nuts 32 a, 32 b on the pedal frames 21 a, 21 b, thus the threaded nuts 32 a, 32 b have function of being properly adjusted in angle, and the adjusting threaded rods 31 a, 31 b would be fitting with the threaded nuts 32 a, 32 b in correct direction.

Referring to FIG. 1 for a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one of bottom plates 220 a and 220 b is firmly installed on bottom side of each of pedals 22 a and 22 b to reinforce the structural strength of the pedals 22 a and 22 b. Each bottom side of the bottom plates 220 a and 220 b is equipped with one of pivoting members 221 a and 221 b, the adjusting threaded rods 31 a, 31 b are axially installed in the pivoting members 221 a, 221 b respectively for not being moved but turned.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the adjustable pedal mechanism of the present invention can be applied to an elliptical exercise machine that comprises a frame 13 and a wheel 14 with two eccentric pivots 15 a and 15 b. The center of the wheel 14 is pivotally connected with the frame 13. The two eccentric pivots 15 a and 15 b on the wheel 14 are connected pivotally with relative pedal arms 20 a and 20 b on first ends, second ends of the pedal arms 20 a and 20 b are connected with pedal frames 21 a and 21 b, thus the pedals 22 a and 22 b installed on the pedal frame 21 a and 21 b would be moving in elliptical trajectories.

Furthermore, referring to FIG. 1, an elliptical exercise machine can be equipped with tracks 16 a and 16 b on rear end of the frame 13. The second ends of the pedal arms 20 a and 20 b respectively extend one of roller bases 25 a and 25 b, and rollers 26 a and 26 b are installed on the roller bases 25 a and 25 b, the rollers 26 a and 26 b would be rolling on the tracks 16 a and 16 b. Besides, the frame 13 can also be equipped with rocker arms 17 a and 17 b, top ends of the rocker arms 17 a and 17 b have handles 18 a and 18 b installed, and the bottom ends are pivotally connected to first ends of linking arms 19 a and 19 b, second ends of the linking arms 19 a and 19 b are pivotally connected with pedal frames 21 a and 21 b, such that the pedals 22 a and 22 b are interlinked with the handles 18 a and 18 b and would be moving simultaneously.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. An exercise machine with adjustable pedals comprising: a mechanical body; and two pedal arms, each pedal arms connected with the mechanical body and being able to move back and forth relatively to the mechanical body; wherein each pedal arm having a pedal frame installed onto, said pedal frame having a pedal disposed on top; and equipped with at least a guide member, said pedal having at least a slide member, each slide member fit with one of the corresponding guide member, an actuating member disposed in-between said pedal frame and said corresponding pedal, the actuating member having two force transfer ends respectively installed on the pedal frame and the pedal, said pedal being installed on a bottom plate and a bottom side of said bottom plate being equipped with a pivoting member, one of said force transfer ends being an adjusting threaded rod which is axially installed in the pivoting member to be allowed no moving but turning, and the other being a threaded nut with a nut hole and being on said pedal frame, said adjusting threaded rod screwed with one of the corresponding nut hole of the threaded nut.
 2. The exercise machine with adjustable pedals as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanical body has a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis perpendicular with each other and the longitudinal axis is on a user's front and rear directions in using, axes of the guide member and the adjusting threaded rod are parallel with the lateral axis of the mechanical body.
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 5. The exercise machine with adjustable pedals as claimed in claim 1, wherein each pedal frame is equipped with two guide members and said threaded nut in-between said two guide members, each pedal is equipped with two slide members and said adjusting threaded rod in-between said two slide members.
 6. The exercise machine with adjustable pedals as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pedal frame has two steel plates set side by side and the guide members are installed in-between connecting the two steel plates, each steel plate has a place of cut on top edge thereof for passing the adjusting threaded rod through.
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 21. An exercise machine with adjustable pedals comprising: a mechanical body; and two pedal arms, each pedal arm connected with the mechanical body and being able to move back and forth relatively to the mechanical body; wherein each pedal arm having a pedal frame installed onto, said pedal frame having a pedal disposed on top and equipped with at least a guide member, said pedal having at least a slide member, each slide member fit with one of the corresponding guide member, an actuating member disposed in-between said pedal frame and said corresponding pedal, the actuating member having two force transfer ends respectively installed on the pedal frame and the pedal, one of said force transfer ends being an adjusting threaded rod allowed no moving but turning and being on said pedal frame, and the other being a threaded nut with a nut hole and being on said pedal, said adjusting threaded rod screwed with one of the corresponding nut hole of the threaded nut.
 22. The exercise machine with adjustable pedals as claimed in claim 21, wherein the mechanical body has a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis perpendicular with each other and the longitudinal axis is on a user's front and rear directions in using, axes of the guide member and the adjusting threaded rod are parallel with the lateral axis of the mechanical body.
 23. The exercise machine with adjustable pedals as claimed in claim 21, wherein each pedal frame is equipped with two guide members and said threaded nut in-between said two guide members, each pedal is equipped with two slide members and said adjusting threaded rod in-between said two slide members.
 24. The exercise machine with adjustable pedals as claimed in claim 21, wherein the pedal frame has two steel plates set side by side and the guide members are installed in-between connecting the two steel plates, each steel plate has a place of cut on top edge thereof for passing the adjusting threaded rod through. 